Page 109 of The Alpha's Bullied Rejected Mate

***

Athena hadn’t seen Marcus all day. But they had a dinner date that evening. Usually, she would have waited until dinnertime to see him, but she decided to do something different. This time, she would go to see him.

As she dressed in a green floral dress that fell to her knees, she grinned to herself. When she was finished, she smiled like she had won the lottery and closed the door behind her as she stepped out into the evening air. It was going to be a good night. She sensed it.

Athena had crossed the courtyard on her way to Marcus when she spotted a feminine figure walking toward her in a cloak. She recognized her in an instant.

Aubrey.

The strange witch was still keeping to herself; she didn’t even train with the others.

Athena’s first instinct was to keep walking. But she stopped.

Something was off. Aubrey was alone today, without the guards assigned to her. And she wasn’t training.

What was she doing out here?

Had she finally decided to step up and interact with the others? Athena wondered.

“Aubrey,” she called gently.

The other witch stiffened, like her name was a surprise to her.

Athena offered a small, open smile as she caught up to her.

“Hey. I know you’re probably not used to being around people much, but… there’s a small group of witches gathering in the grove tomorrow evening. I thought maybe you would like to come. You could use the company.”

Aubrey’s eyes flicked to her. There was hesitation in them. Caution. But then a thin smile stretched across her lips. It didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“That’s kind of you,” she said softly.

“But I’m not really good with… groups.”

Athena tilted her head. “You don’t have to be. You just have to show up.”

When Aubrey didn’t respond, she reached out, offering her hand in an instinctive gesture of encouragement.

But the moment their fingers touched—

A shock shot through Athena’s senses, making her gasp softly. Her breath caught in her throat as her eyes widened.

Aubrey flinched backward. “Don’t touch me!” she screamed.

But it was too late. She already did.

Athena jerked her hand back. Her magic rose to the surface on instinct, glowing at her fingertips, readily.

She schooled her expression, not wanting to reveal anything.

“Of course,” she spoke, maintaining a steady voice.

“Sorry,” she added, sparing Aubrey a short smile.

“Well then, I would leave you alone.” Athena gave her a curt nod as she moved away from Aubrey and walked forward in the direction she was going.

She wished she could run, but she couldn’t give away any suspicion of her discovery. She could only hope to find Marcus soon. She needed to tell him. Or anyone she could bump into now.

Her suspicions were right. Aubrey was no ordinary dark witch. Because she was a demon.